At the Regina Caeli on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV reflects on the Lord’s Ascension, noting that Christ’s entire life is a movement of ascent and that His humanity embraces and involves the whole world, elevating and redeeming us.
Addressing around 20,000 pilgrims and visitors in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV observed that in many countries throughout the world, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is celebrated today.
Reflecting on this Solemnity, the Pope said that Jesus’ being lifted up from the earth and ascending toward heaven may make us think this Mystery occurred in a distant pass, yet the reality is very current since “we are united to Jesus as the members of one body united to the head” as the Lord “draws us with him toward full communion with the Father.”
Movement of ascent
The Pope explained that Christ’s entire life is “a movement of ascent” and that through His humanity the Lord “embraces and involves the whole world, elevating and redeeming human beings from their sinful condition.”
As the Preface I of Easter notes, he said the Lord “thus brings light, forgiveness and hope where previously there was darkness, injustice and desperation, in order that men and women may attain the definitive Easter victory, in which the Son of God, by dying ‘has destroyed our death, and by rising, restored our life.’”
Drawn toward heavenly glory
The Pope said the Ascension speaks to us of “a living bond” that draws us as well “toward heavenly glory, already elevating and expanding our horizon in this life and directing our way of thinking, feeling, and acting more closely to the measure of God’s heart.”
In this path of ascent, he said, we recognize the way through Jesus, who gave us His life, example, and teachings.
The Pope said this path of ascent toward heaven can be seen reflected in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the lives of the saints, “those whom the Church offers as universal role models.”
He recalled that Pope Francis often said we can see this example in our brothers and sisters, the ‘saints next door’, “fathers, mothers, grandparents, people of every age and condition, who, with joy and commitment, make the effort to live sincerely according to the Gospel.”
Fruits of communion and peace
With the support and prayers of one another, “we too can learn to ascend day by day toward heaven,” as Saint Paul said, focusing on whatever is true, just and loveable, the Pope concluded.
The divine life received in Baptism, he said, “constantly draws us to the heights, toward the Father, can grow in and around us, and spread the precious fruits of communion and peace in the world.”
Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/
